North Dakota State University was ranked among the top 100 research universities in the National Science Foundation's latest listings.
For the 2008 fiscal year, NDSU ranks 39th nationally out of 554 other research universities without a medical school.
Medical schools receive 43 percent of every research dollar spent, which accounts for NDSU's ranking of 122 when compared with all 679 research universities, said Philip Boudjouk, vice president for research, creative activities and technology transfer at NDSU.
The survey lists NDSU at its highest-ever ranking.
"This is a snapshot of where we are at the moment, but there is a consistency over the years that we have steadily moved up the rankings," Boudjouk said.
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The rankings are based on total research expenditures. NDSU spent $115.5 million in 2008's fiscal year.
The university reported an estimated $114.2 million in research for 2009, down $1.3 million from this latest survey, but Boudjouk said he's confident that's a smaller drop than most universities experienced because of the economy last year. Results for fiscal year 2009 are expected next year.
The rankings play a significant role in securing highly competitive funding and grants for future research, Boudjouk said.
"They help us enormously," he said. "They're a list you need to be on."
Four individual disciplines at NDSU also ranked in the top 100 of the NSF survey:
- Agricultural sciences ranked 26th of all universities and colleges.
- Social sciences ranked 40th among research universities.
- Physical sciences ranked 53rd of all colleges and universities.
- Chemistry ranked 90 among the top 100 universities and colleges in the category.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Heidi Shaffer at (701) 235-7311
